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City Of Ann Arbor 2013 Sustainable Ann Arbor Forums: Planning for Change in Our Community: Economic Vitality
This second in a series of four discussions (held monthly and ending in April) centers on Economic Vitality, including opportunities to invest in the local economy and to build a strong sense of place in the community. Building on the public forums from last year, the 2013 forums will focus on planning for change in the community. A think tank of local stakeholders, including University of Michigan faculty, representatives from community organizations, and city commissioners, join City of Ann Arbor staff and the public to discuss local sustainability concepts and efforts--past, present and future.Speakers for this forum will include: Ingrid Ault, Executive Director, Think Local First; Mary Jo Callan, Director, Washtenaw County Community and Economic Development; Dan Gilmartin, Executive Director and CEO, Michigan Municipal League; Paul Krutko, President and CEO, Ann Arbor SPARK and Paul Saginaw, Founding Partner, Zingerman's Deli.The presentations will discuss conditions that are changing in the community and past and potential actions to adapt to change. Each program will also include tips for individual actions that residents may take.
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City Of Ann Arbor 2013 Sustainable Ann Arbor Forums: Planning for Change in Our Community
This first in a series of four discussions (held monthly and ending in April) centers on Sustainable Systems, including the impacts of current and predicted weather changes in the community and on the City's constructed and natural infrastructure. Building on the public forums from last year, the 2013 forums will focus on planning for change in the community. A think tank of local stakeholders, including University of Michigan faculty, representatives from community organizations, and city commissioners, join City of Ann Arbor staff and the public to discuss local sustainability concepts and efforts--past, present and future. Tonight's presentations will be given by Matt Naud, Environmental Coordinator, City of Ann Arbor; Dan Brown, Research Associate, UM Great Lakes Integrated Sciences and Assessment; Jen Lawson, Water Quality Manager, City of Ann Arbor; Cresson Slotten, Systems Planning Unit Manager, City of Ann Arbor; Rick Norman, Director of Emergency Management, City of Ann Arbor; and Jason Frenzel, Adopt-A-Stream & Stewardship Coordinator, Huron River Watershed Council. The presentations will discuss conditions that are changing in the community and past and potential actions to adapt to change. Each program will also include tips for individual actions that residents may take. There will be an audience Q&A after the presentations.
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Sustainable Ann Arbor Forums 2012: Community
This final in a series of four monthly discussions co-sponsored by the City of Ann Arbor focuses on Community and includes discussion on housing, economic development, public safety, recreation, outreach, civic engagement, and stewardship of community resources. The presentation will examine past successes and challenges, and feature a think tank of local stakeholders. The ensuing discussions will help guide the city's sustainability planning efforts.Panelists for this event include, from the City: Jennifer Hall, Executive Director, Ann Arbor Housing Commission; Wendy Rampson, Planning Manager; John Seto, Deputy Police Chief; and Cheryl Saam, Recreation Facilities Supervisor. The panel will also include Richard Norton, Chair of the Urban and Regional Planning Program; Cheryl Elliott, Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation; and Julie Grand, Chair of the Park Advisory Commission.Details of this series are posted online at www.a2gov.org/sustainability. For Ann Arbor's current environmental goals, check out the State of Our Environment Report at www.a2gov.org/soe.
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Sustainable Ann Arbor Forums 2012: Climate and Energy
This third in a series of four monthly discussions co-sponsored by the City of Ann Arbor focuses on a community Climate Action Plan to address greenhouse gas emissions. The forum is an opportunity to learn and contribute towards the developing Climate Action Plan, and discuss solutions that can reduce emissions in the community. The presentations will look at past successes and challenges, discuss possible future priorities and feature a think tank of local stakeholders. The ensuing discussions will help guide the city's sustainability planning efforts.The City has long been recognized for forward reaching energy initiatives like LED lighting, solar power, and energy efficiency improvements at its facilities, and Mayor John Hieftje's Energy Challenge sets ambitious goals for green energy and reduced emissions. See how the community at large plays a role in Ann Arbor's response to a warming climate, and help articulate a vision for a prosperous, cleaner energy future.Panelists for this event include, from the City: John Hieftje, Mayor; Matt Naud, Environmental Coordinator; and Nathan Geisler, Energy Programs Associate, Energy Office. The panel also includes Larissa Larsen, UM Associate Professor of Urban and Regional Planning; Monica Patel of the Ecology Center; Jenny Oorbeck, Communities Division Manager, Clean Energy Coalition; Wayne Appleyard, Chair of the Ann Arbor Energy Commission and Terry Alexander, Executive Director of the Office of Campus Sustainability at University of Michigan. Please note that on March 29th from 6pm to 8pm in the 4th floor meeting room of the Downtown Library, the City of Ann Arbor will hold a public meeting to discuss a set of draft overarching sustainability goals developed from existing plans and goals by commissioners from each of the key sustainability commissions and a team of city staff. The public meeting will build on the Sustainable Ann Arbor Forums sponsored by the Ann Arbor District Library and the City of Ann Arbor and provide an opportunity for attendees to share comments on the draft set of sustainability goals.Details of this series are posted online at www.a2gov.org/sustainability. For Ann Arbor's current environmental goals, check out the State of Our Environment Report at www.a2gov.org/soe.
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City Of Ann Arbor Community Sustainability Discussion: Land Use And Access
This second in a series of four monthly discussions co-sponsored by the City of Ann Arbor, centers on Land Use And Access and includes discussion on infrastructure, transportation, built environment, public spaces, and land use. Panelists include Wendy Rampson, Planning Manager; Joe Grengs, Associate Professor of Urban and Regional Planning; Susan Pollay, Downtown Development Authority Executive Director; Eli Cooper, Transportation Programs Manager; Jeff Kahan, City Planner; Ginny Trocchio, Ann Arbor Greenbelt Program; and Evan Pratt, Ann Arbor Planning Commission.Each of the four monthly sessions will examine past successes and challenges, discuss possible future priorities and feature a think tank of local stakeholders (UM faculty, representatives from community organizations, city commissioners, City of Ann Arbor staff and the public). The ensuing discussions will help guide the city's sustainability planning efforts. Details of this series are posted online at www.a2gov.org/sustainability. For Ann Arbor's current environmental goals, check out the State of Our Environment Report at www.a2gov.org/soe.
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City Of Ann Arbor Community Sustainability Discussion: Resource Management
This first in a series of four monthly discussions co-sponsored by the City of Ann Arbor centers on Resource Management and will include discussion on natural areas, waste reduction, recycling, compost, local food systems, water and air quality. Panelists include: Jason Tallant from Natural Area Preservation; Chris Graham, Chair of the Environmental Commission; Kerry Gray, Urban Forestry & Natural Resources Planner; Tom McMurtrie, Solid Waste Coordinator and Matthew Naud, Environmental Coordinator. Joining the City of Ann Arbor staff will be Richard Norton, Chair of UM's Urban and Regional Planning program and Laura Rubin, Executive Director of the Huron River Watershed Council. Each of the four monthly sessions will examine past successes and challenges, discuss possible future priorities and feature a think tank of local stakeholders (UM faculty, representatives from community organizations, city commissioners, City of Ann Arbor staff and the public). The ensuing discussions will help guide the city's sustainability planning efforts. Details of this series are posted online at www.a2gov.org/sustainability. For Ann Arbor's current environmental goals, check out the State of Our Environment Report at www.a2gov.org/soe.
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Our Water, Our Future: A Local Panel
March 22 is World Water Day. As clean drinking water becomes increasingly hard to find in many places around the globe, it makes sense to look closely at our local water supply and to consider the issues that may affect it in the futureJoin us for this special discussion (originally scheduled for February) as Professor Mike Wiley of the UM School of Natural Resources moderates a panel of local water experts, who will discuss the challenges facing our local water systems and what their organizations are doing to plan for the future. Issues affecting the future management of storm, drinking, ground, surface, and wastewater will be discussed.Panelists include: Harry Sheehan, Senior Environmental Manager, Office of the Washtenaw County Water Resources Council (storm water); Molly Wade, Unit Manager, Water Treatment Services, City of Ann Arbor (drinking water); Matt Naud, Environmental Coordinator, City of Ann Arbor (ground water); Laura Rubin, Executive Director, Huron River Watershed Council (surface water); Earle Kenzie, Unit Manager, Waste Water Treatment Services, City of Ann Arbor (waste water).This event is co-sponsored by the University of Michigan's Winter 2011 LSA Theme Semester on Water.The City of Ann Arbor has provided this CLARIFICATION TO PANEL Q&A DISCUSSION:"The City has never detected 1,4 dioxane at the City's drinking water intake.Low levels of 1,4 Dioxane have been measured in the water leaving the wastewater plant NOT in any drinking water source.A jar test study completed several years ago indicates that the water plant may be able to remove very low levels of 1,4, dioxane."For questions about this, contact Molly Wade at 734-794-6426 or mwade@a2gov.org
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Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Event: Current Ecological Issues of the Great Lakes with James S. Diana, Director, Michigan Sea Grant College Program, University of Michigan
The Great Lakes have undergone massive environmental change since European settlement. Landscape alteration, water use, industrial processes, overfishing, and introduction of exotic species have all contributed. Future trends for the Lakes are also difficult to predict because new species or problems intervene before the current trends are completed. So, what lies ahead for our Great Lakes - and what is their current condition today?Join us for this fascinating presentation by James Diana, Director of the Michigan Sea Grant College Program at the University of Michigan. This event is held in conjunction with Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2010, which, this year focuses on the subject of Michigan and Jerry Dennis' award-winning book The Living Great Lakes: Searching For The Heart Of The Inland Seas.
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Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2010: Green Energy in Michigan
For decades, the auto industry has been the main economic engine for our state. But even as we struggle to recover from a disastrous recession, massive layoffs, and widespread factory closings, there is no guarantee that the industry will regain its former dominance. Green energy may be the key to reviving Michigan's industrial legacy. At this panel discussion, three experts will discuss the future of green energy in our state and the effect that this burgeoning industry will have on our economy. Larry Kaufman of DTE will discuss solar energy, Trista Gregorski of the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth will discuss wind energy; and Sean Reed of Clean Energy Coalition will discuss biofuels and local initiatives.This presentation is held in conjunction with Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2010, which, this year focuses on the subject of Michigan and Jerry Dennis' book 'The Living Great Lakes: Searching For The Heart Of This Inland Seas.'
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Nobel Prize-Winner Dr. Henry Pollack Discusses His New Book 'A World Without Ice"
Dr. Henry Pollack will discuss his new book, 'A World Without Ice,' the first book to fully explore the connection between humans and climate change. Much has been written about global warming, but the crucial relationship between what effect people have had on the Earth's ice and its ramifications has received little focus until now. Dr. Pollack has been a professor of geophysics at the University of Michigan for more than forty years, and shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with fellow members of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and former vice president Al Gore. The event will include a book signing and books will be on sale.